Speaking at the 2017 CIPS Annual Conference, Justin Lambert, head of procurement at Roche, told delegates that ensuring good practice across supply chains starts in procurement. That means procurement professionals should listen to customers to know what is coming and diversify across their supply chain.

“There is still a focus on diversity in the workplace,” he said, “But we need to diversify supply chains to buy the right way.”

He explained that many people in procurement will have seen that bringing a diverse group of people — different cultures, gender and life experiences — around a table for a discussion produces a much richer conversation.

Apply that rule with suppliers, he advised. It can bring innovation and help provide solutions for the future generation of customers, which in the case of Roche is patients.

Lambert said he invited a nine-month-old company, set up by two women, to pitch for work. “They blew us away with their passion, creativity and will to deliver,” he said. “We have had to put in additional security, but in procurement you have to take some risks.”

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